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Video: First female drum major for the Hawkeye Marching Band since 1940s takes attention in stride
It may be a surprise to Analisa Iole, but people have taken notice of her presence as the drum major for the Iowa Hawkeyes Marching Band.
Even though Iole, a human physiology major from Marshalltown, is the first woman to fill the drum major role for the Hawkeyes since the 1940s, she says she focuses on doing the best she can as drum major.
'I don't think of myself as the first female drum major in however many years. I think of myself as the drum major,' Iole said.
She does acknowledge, however, that young girls in particular in the audience have become some of her biggest fans.
Iole is being helped to learn the role by the previous drum major, Isaac Anderson, and she recently received an award of Drum Major First Class for her mace work at a weeklong workshop for drum majors.
Analisa Iole (right), drum major for the Hawkeye Marching Band, lifts Kylene Spanbauer, the band's 'Golden Girl,' in the air as the band takes the field prior to a game at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City on Saturday, November 4, 2017. Iole, a human physiology major at the University of Iowa with a background in dance and woodwind instrument performance, is the first woman to hold the position since the 1940s. After auditioning for the position once before, she jumped at the chance to try again when she learned that former drum major Isaac Anderson would be leaving this fall. Anderson continues to help Iole as she refines her work, and she received top honors at a weeklong workshop for drum majors, where she received the award of Drum Major First Class for her mace work. The public's response to her new position has surprised her, and young girls have been some of her biggest fans. I don't think of myself as the first female drum major in however many years. I think of myself as the drum major.' (Cliff Jette/The Gazette)
Analisa Iole watches from the sidelines before halftime at a game with Ohio State at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2017. (Rebecca F. Miller/The Gazette)
Analisa Iole conducts the Hawkeye Marching Band during a warm-up rehearsal before the Iowa Hawkeyes' game with Ohio State at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2017. (Rebecca F. Miller/The Gazette)
Analisa Iole prepares to toss her mace during rehearsal before the Iowa Hawkeyes' game with Ohio State at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2017. (Rebecca F. Miller/The Gazette)
Cindy Iole (left) of Marshalltown helps her daughter, Analisa Iole (right) pin up her hair before the Hawkeye football game with Ohio State at the University of Iowa at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2017. (Rebecca F. Miller/The Gazette)
Cindy Iole (left) of Marshalltown talks with her daughter, Analisa Iole (right) as she gets ready in the Recreation Building locker room before the Hawkeye football game with Ohio State at the University of Iowa at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2017. (Rebecca F. Miller/The Gazette)
Analisa Iole's mace lies on the floor in the Recreation Building before a college football game with Ohio State at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2017. (Rebecca F. Miller/The Gazette)
Analisa Iole buttons up her jacket while getting ready for the Hawkeye Marching Band's pregame show at a Hawkeye football game with Ohio State at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2017. (Rebecca F. Miller/The Gazette)
Members of the Hawkeye Marching Band stand on the field before the Hawkeyes' game with Ohio State at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2017. (Rebecca F. Miller/The Gazette)
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